Summer Bay gathers for an emotional farewell to a friend. Jack is devastated by Martha’s decision. Kim receives news that brings his world crashing down.
Extended Summary
Alf and Sally leave Martha as they set of to Emily’s memorial. The boat wharf has been set up and the surf club for the wake. Sally, Alf, Tony, Irene, Leah, Colleen, and Rachel. Kim appears soon after, looking very distracted after his post-mumps check up – what is he hiding? Brad’s arrival soon interrupts the moment, as he carries the urn of Emily’s ashes. Everyone takes their places as Brad begins the memorial, his words full of pride and love. It isn’t until the scattering of the ashes that Brad’s emotion gets the better of him, a tear rolling down his cheek as Emily is set free over the water. He thanks everyone at the wake for their support. Meanwhile, Rachel asks Kim how his post-mumps check up went, he seems distracted, but he insists there’s nothing to worry about.
Leah checks that Sally is holding up – she’s thinking about he request that Emily made of her – to look after Brad. Leah comments that might’ve been tricky as she knows Sally had some sort of attraction to him in the beginning – which Brad overhears as he is nearby! He can’t believe Sally’s been helping him out because she has the hots for him! He storms out before either have the chance to set him straight! Sally finds Brad perched at the wharf, he’s furious with her, but reluctantly lets her explain. She admits she felt something for him when they first met, but assures him that she hasn’t been ‘pining’ for him. She cared about Emily very much and is honouring her request by looking after Brad and considers him to be a very good friend. He accepts this and apologises for his outburst, their friendship back on track.
Kim & Rachel can’t believe it when Jack tells them Martha has gone. Having been there themselves recently, the pair insists Jack talk to her; don’t let the sun set on it. But it’s a pride thing for Jack – he can’t believe she’d walk out like that – she mustn’t think much of their marriage, why should he go crawling to her? Rachel puts it simply – because you love her and you want her back. Jack takes this in. Martha finishes telling Alf and Sally what’s been happening, that Jack isn’t ‘in’ the marriage. They suggest a good night’s sleep and a rational talk tomorrow – as Martha is about to head to bed, Jack knocks at the door – she doesn’t want to see him. Alf stands firm on her behalf and suggests he return in the morning. Jack unhappily moves off, both he and Martha hating the situation. Next morning, Jack decides some serious groveling is in order – he’s ordered a huge bunch of flowers to be delivered. Rachel wonders if that’s enough. He reckons it will win her over – it’s clear that Jack still has no idea how serious this situation is…
Martha receives the flowers, but they have no impact. She’s lost in her thoughts when Jack arrives. Martha can’t believe that he thinks flowers are the answer – Jack tells her to come home so they can talk this through and get on with their lives – but Martha isn’t sure that will happen. She thinks they rushed into getting married and they’ve had their fair share of ‘signs’ from the reception onwards. Jack takes it in, stunned, he wants to make this work, he loves her, but Martha tells him it takes more than love to make it work. She wants a trial separation. Jack can’t believe it! He’ll do anything to save this marriage – but Martha makes it clear that she doesn’t want Jack making changes that sacrifice his happiness to save their marriage. She thinks the union is fundamentally flawed because they’re just not ready for what a marriage means. They both say they love each other, before Jack turns and sadly heads out, leaving a drained Martha to watch him go… News of the separation travels fast as Tony comforts his devastated son and Tasha rushes to support Martha, who is trying to hold it together. She breaks down in her friends arms over the end of her marriage.
Irene explains that Robbie is making plans in case he has to go to gaol, to Colleen and Tony. Irene wishes there was something she could do to cheer them up. Meanwhile, a highly apprehensive Kim gets a house call from Dr Young who grimly confirms that the fears he voiced this morning were unfortunately warranted – Kim’s battle with Mumps has left him infertile. Kim is devastated as the doctor explains there is nothing they can do. Kim’s world comes crashing down…